Squadron Reunion

Former members of 30 Squadron, the Royal New Zealand Air Force unit based at Gisborne during the war, gathered in force Queen's Birthday weekend for their annual reunion.

The strength of ties forged in wartime comradeship was in evidence throughout the weekend, but never more than on the Sunday morning when the flag at Darton Field was dipped in memory of fallen comrades, in a short but impressive ceremony pictured at top of page. Facing members of the squadron is the Gisborne Air Training Corps under Squadron Leader N. Williamson.

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30 Squadron men on parade. In front rank are Squadron Leader Noel James, the unit's C.O., Dave Brown, local executive chairman, and Ken Welsford, member of the local executive.

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At the re-union dinner: Laurie Hadler (Auckland) and "Prang" McKenzie, the only man to crash a squadron plane in N.Z. Pieces of it are still to be found in the swamp near Darton Field.

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Jimmy Aitken (Auckland), the squadron's adjutant, who took part in the Auckland-Suva yacht race this year, and flew back to be present, with Allan Heath (Napier), the unit's "fang snatcher".